Category

Diy

Category
In Advice

Easy DIY face masks your skin will love

No Comments

Glowing skin is always a good thing. On your wedding day you’ll want to look your best, and one of the ways to achieve that is by treating your skin. If you haven’t got a spa budget, however, there are a number of at-home face masks you can make yourself. Give yourself the gift of a glow-up without the expensive price tag by making your own all-natural treatments.

These masks are all natural and all good for your skin. Your biggest challenge will be to stop touching your face afterwards and marvelling at how smooth it feels.

Pumpkin smoothie – enhances skin elasticity and hydration

Ingredients:

  • 1/4 cup canned pumpkin (frozen)
  • 1/2 cup almond milk
  • 1/4 banana (frozen)
  • 1 tsp cinnamon

Blend all the ingredients together in a blender for one minute at high speed. This will form a paste that you can apply to your skin and leave on for 15 minutes before rinsing with lukewarm water. Pat dry with a face towel and apply moisturiser.

Pumpkin is packed with vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and antioxidants that will boost your skin’s elasticity, circulation, and hydration. Almond milk will provide moisture, while the banana also helps enhance skin’s elasticity. Cinnamon acts as a natural antioxidant and has antibacterial properties.

Aloe vera mask – fights acne

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons aloe vera gel
  • 1 tablespoon milk
  • 1 tablespoon sugar

Mix the milk and sugar together until the sugar dissolves, then add the aloe vera and blend until you’re left with a paste. Apply to your face and neck and leave on for 20-30 minutes before rinsing with lukewarm water. Pat dry with a face towel and apply moisturiser.

Aloe vera is a wonder plant that has multiple skin benefits to ease burns, sunburns, irritation, allergies and even acne. The milk also helps to soothe skin, while sugar is a natural source of glycolic acid that aids in cell turnover.

Honey citrus mask – boosts glow

Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon orange juice
  • 1/4 cup of honey

Mix the orange juice and honey together until it creates a gel. Apply to your face and leave it on for 15 minutes. Remove with lukwarm water, pat dry with a face towel and apply moisturiser.

These ingredients are amazing at brightening your skin, replacing dullness with a beautiful glow.

Bonus: Brown sugar exfoliant

Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 2 splashes of olive oil

Mix the brown sugar and olive oil together and apply to your face. Massage the misture into your skin with gentle circular motions. Rinse with lukewarm water, pat dry with a face towel and apply moisturiser.

The sugar acts as a gentle exfoliant and aids in cell turnover, while the olive oil provides moisture that will leave your skin feeling soft, smooth and supple.

 

Feature image: Pexels

by
Continue Reading
In Advice

How to incorporate spekboom in your wedding

No Comments

Weddings can be taxing on the environment. Yes, flower walls are beautiful and balloon decor is whimsical, but they’re also wasteful and harmful for the environment. As the wedding industry shifts towards more sustainable practices, one plant rises above.

Spekboom has long been lauded for its magical powers. Also known as Pork Bush or Elephant’s Food, this water-wise tree of wonder can absorb higher amounts of carbon dioxide than any other plant in existence. A healthy thicket of this South African treasure trove is said to be ten times more effective at removing carbon dioxide from the air than the Amazon Forest.

South Africans are encouraged to plant spekboom wherever they may to play their part in combatting climate change. Those lacking a green thumb need not worry. The plant is easy to grow and water-wise, meaning it is low maintenance.

There are so many ways to incorporate this hard-working plant into your wedding. Here are some ideas.

Bridal bouquet:

Spekboom is a perfectly rustic addition to your bridal bouquet. If you’re not into the leaves, spekboom in full bloom is typically covered in tiny pink flowers that will add a beautiful pop of colour to your floral arrangement.

Credit: Instagram / suneoosthuizen7

Food:

Packed with vitamin C and other nutrients, spekboom leaves are juicy and full of moisture. They leave an acidic taste of lemon on the tongue, making spekboom an excellent addition to fresh salads or even in the wedding cake itself. Spekboom also helps to fight dehydration, making this magical plant perfect for hot summer weddings.

Credit: Stork.co.za

Decor:

Tiny clippings of spekboom are amazingly fresh additions to wedding decor. Use them as table decor on plates or in planters, in floral centrepieces and in hanging floral arrangements.

Credit: nikimphotography.com

Wedding favours:

Give your guests the gift of spekboom for a memorable wedding favour that will bloom for decades. One small clipping can grow into a magnificent spekboom bush when planted. The plant can live up to 200 years, meaning this gift is truly one for the ages.

Credit: Instagram / The Spekboom Project

Feature image: Instagram / original3g

by
Continue Reading
In Advice

Tropical wedding decor inspiration

No Comments

If you’re getting married in paradise, why not have your wedding decor reflect it? Tropical wedding decor is a great way to bring the island to your wedding, even if you’re not there. Incorporating natural elements and lots of colour gives your wedding a relaxed atmosphere, perfect for the laid-back couple.

Invites:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B47BPVEAHa9/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Aisle:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B3emeXXA5sk/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Table numbers:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B5Cja6Gn_j8/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Table decor:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B45kkAwocww/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Coconut drinks:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B441S2JDse-/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Chill zone:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B4tqZiWFQ3j/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Bouquet:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B5A_MhzFAo-/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Getaway car:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B5A6dqTKttW/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Surfboard drinks menu:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B4-8dXkDBwX/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Floral chandelier:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B4-ErabhXI4/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Photo backdrop:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B48xQkrAoR5/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Image: Unsplash

by
Continue Reading
In Advice

3 ways to preserve your bridal bouquet

No Comments

A bride’s bouquet has sentimental value and so it is not surprising that many brides want to keep it. Preserving your bouquet is a beautiful way to create a reminder of your wedding day and add some decor to your home at the same time.

If you’d like to have a personal keepsake from your wedding that is different to the norm, take a look at these 3 ways to preserve your bouquet.

Air dry your bouquet

This is the most simple and traditional way to preserve your bouquet as it was on your wedding day, but it will take the longest.

All you have to do is take your entire bouquet, or just the flowers that you’d like to keep and tie it together very tightly with a rope or string of your choice – twine will work very well. Once you are sure that the bouquet is tied tightly and securely, hang the whole bunch upside down in a warm and dry area, like a cupboard. A darker space will preserve the colour and scent of the flowers, although the colour will be slightly muted, better than a space that allows light in, which will cause the colours to turn into shades that look vintage. Leave the bouquet to dry for a few weeks and then take it down once all the flowers are completely dry.

Now that you have your dried bouquet, you can do with it as you wish. A nice idea to display the bouquet is to place it in a vase of your choice and cover it with a large glass dome or a perspex case.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Сухоцветая Флористика (@vereskbureau) on

Press the flowers

This is probably the most affordable option when it comes to preserving your bouquet but it will involve you creating a new piece from the flowers from your bouquet.

Choose the flowers that you’d like to preserve and cut about 1-2cm off and spread them out on one or multiple sheets of baking paper, depending on how many flowers you are wanting to press. Place the sheet with the flowers on the inside of a heavy book and add another layer of baking paper on top, then close the book and place another heavy object on top to weigh it down. Leave the flowers there for one to two weeks. Once the flowers are dry and flat, be careful when you start to arrange them as they are very delicate.

Most people create a frame display of the flowers by putting them into an empty photo frame and then hanging it on the wall as decor.  Now every time you walk past it you will be reminded of your special day.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Lacie RZ Porta ? (@framedflorals) on

Use epoxy resin

With this preservation technique, you will be able to show off your flowers to their full effect as the shape of the flowers will remain the same.

Choose flowers with tight petals from your bouquet and hang them to dry. If you do not allow them to dry properly before setting them in epoxy, they may begin to decay once they have been set. Then cover your work area with newspaper and make sure you wear gloves when you work because epoxy sticks to everything. Choose a mould in your desired shape and make sure that you have enough epoxy resin to cover the flowers as well as create your desired shape. Fill your mold halfway with the epoxy resin mixture and delicately arrange the flowers within that. Then fill in the rest of the mold with the mixture and leave to dry.

After you take the mold off, you will have a stunning decoration, or a few if you do this multiple times, that you can place all over your home and have constant reminders of your wedding.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Rejoiceandblossom (@rejoiceandblossom) on

Feature image: Pixabay

by
Continue Reading
In Diy

Watch: DIY Envelope Wax Seal

No Comments

A wax seal stamp is a great way to upgrade your wedding stationery with very little effort. Simply add a wax seal stamp to the envelope of your invitation and your stationery will instantly look more professional and appealing. Here’s how:

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Uniqooo.com (@uniqooo_official) on

Supplies (find most at your nearest craft shop):

  • wedding envelope R87.50/100
  • small dried flowers (pick from a garden)
  • sealing wax (with wick) R27-30
  • brass seal R130-150 (or you can get a custom-made seal)

Steps:

  1. Put your invitation into the envelope of your choice and turn it over so that the side to seal is facing upwards.

  2. Place your dried flower at the base of the seal on the envelope.

  3. Light the wick of the sealing wax and rotate the stick, you will see that it will start to drip quite quickly. Keep the stick tilted towards the dried flower on your envelope. Rotate the wax and let it drip (try to move the stick around so that it drips into a circle).

  4. Once you have the wax circle on your envelope that is of a similar size to your seal, take the seal stamp and press it into the pool of wax. Once cooled, peel off and you will have your stamp!

  5. Don’t worry if the stamps don’t all look the same, it is a personal touch and your guests will love it.

TIP: Do a practice round on scrap paper before starting on your envelopes.

Disclaimer: Seal wax beads are used in the video but if you use the beads, you also need to have a melting spoon. To limit the number of supplies needed, the steps have been done using sealing wax with a wick. This way you can drip the wax directly onto your point of seal.

Feature image: Unsplash

by
Continue Reading
In Advice

Easy ways to save money on your wedding day

No Comments

For those planning their wedding, some things may seem out of their financial reach. Most modern weddings have become extravagant and costly, but they don’t have to be. There are a number of ways an engaged couple can save some coins whilst planning their dream wedding. Here are some tips to reduce your wedding budget:

Turn to technology:

Cut costs by sending out digital wedding invites and having guests RSVP online. Simply find a great digital artist to design your online invite (or design it yourself using apps like Canva) and set up a link to a website, Google Drive document, app or a phone number guests can use to RSVP.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Wedding Invitations ? (@vicious.designs.vfb) on

Think local:

Of course, dedicated wedding venues are popular for a reason. However, there are a variety of other locations that can work just as well for a fraction of the price. Consider having your wedding reception at country clubs, community halls, parks, restaurants, galleries or even a family member or friend’s property.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by LAS VEGAS WEDDING OFFICIANT (@peachy_keen_unions) on

Say yes to the affordable dress:

A large chunk of one’s wedding budget often goes towards the dress. Spend your money wisely by searching for sample sales, repurposing a family member’s dress, picking something off-the-rack or even thrifting a wedding dress. Remember that any dress can be good as new with some custom-additions. Think of it as your ‘something old’!

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Daily Wedding Dress Inspo ?✨ (@weddingdressesofficial) on

Get a personal officiant:

Have a friend or family member become ordained online so that they can marry you and your partner, saving you money and giving your wedding a personal touch.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Wedding & Elopements (@dillonkin) on

DIY the day away:

There are so many simple DIY’s that will save you money and personalise your wedding. Use thrift shopped mirrors, chalkboards or window panes to create one big wedding program. Besides being cost-effective, it’s also better for the environment to not print out individual programs.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Isabel | Calligrapher (@chalk_n_ink_) on

Go out-of-season:

Off-peak dates can get you your dream venue at a cheaper price. As most weddings are held on Saturdays, consider having your wedding on a Friday or Sunday to cut venue and food/drink costs.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Cape Town Wedding Photographer (@simonefranzel) on

Mix-and-match:

Use more affordable flowers as decoration. Mismatched, smaller centerpieces are cost-effective and cute. You can also add bulk and dimension to your bouquets by using foliage.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Weddings and Special Events (@jademcintoshflowers) on

Give power to your flowers:

Flowers are expensive. Make sure they work double-duty by reusing them throughout the day. Consider reusing bridesmaids bouquets after the ceremony to create one large centerpiece or add them to table decor.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Flower Design Events (@flowerdesignevents) on

Strategically plan out your Big Day:

We get, it, sometimes things can run overtime during your wedding. However, photographers and musicians will charge extra if they have to stay longer than originally agreed, or wait around unnecessarily. Ensure you stick to a swift schedule between your ceremony and reception to avoid paying more than you bargained for.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Sharyn | Wedding Photographer (@sharynhodges) on

Make your wedding family style:

Shareable family-style meals are more cost-effective and interactive than 3-course sit-down meals. Consider designing a shareable menu filled with fan favourites that will cater to every diet.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Rustic Wedding Show (@therusticweddingshow) on

Be wise with your wedding favours:

Wedding favours don’t have to be extravagant. Something small and travel-friendly is ideal. Think mini-wine bottles, handmade soaps, individual succulents or tiny jars of your favourite sweets. You can also offer shareable favours for couples, such as a bottle of wine, to cut costs. You can also read: Best wedding planning APP’s and tools

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by GrowRaw (@growraw) on

Image: Unsplash

by
Continue Reading
In Decor

DIY Origami hearts

No Comments

A cute and fun DIY idea for wedding decor – create origami hearts that you can place on tables or arrange them on a photo frame for a focal piece.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by C CHANNEL-ヘアアレンジ.ライフスタイル.DIY動画 (@cchannel_girls) on

Supplies (find them at your nearest craft shop):

  • origami paper R78/24 sheets
  • glue R50/100ml
  • photo frame R190/300 x 500mm
  • double-sided tape R30/18mm

Steps:

  1. Fold the origami paper up and down, left and right.

  2. Open the paper again and fold left and right into the centre. Keep it there.

  3. Fold the top and bottom into the middle and fold the top down.

  4. Fold the bottom up in the same way.

  5. Fold the bottom part to the left and right according to the crease.

  6. Similarly, fold the upper part to the left and right according to the crease.

  7. Fold in the top and bottom corners

  8. Fold the upper right and the lower left so that they widen.

  9. Fold the top and bottom so that the front is a solid.

  10. Push in the left and right corners and the centre of the 3D part

  11. To complete the 3D heart, tuck in the folds at the bottom so that they fold over one another and stay in place.

  12. Then glue the open sides of the heart. If you’d like to scatter the hearts around, then this is the last step.

  13. If you’d like to arrange the hearts on a photo frame then take the empty frame with a backing and use double-sided tape to attach the hearts to the frame in an arrangement of your choice.
  14. There you have it!

Feature image: Pixabay

by
Continue Reading
In Advice

Take your decor to new heights with greenery installations

No Comments

Who said garlands were just for the table? Take your decor to new heights with greenery installations – one of our favourite trends at the moment. Normally decor is focused on eye-level, but what about accessorising the higher spaces with lush greens as well. You can change the whole feel of the space with something as simple (and budget-friendly) as leaves and vines. Take a look:

 

View this post on Instagram

 

Feeling a little under the weather after spending last week up a slippery ladder hanging onto a tipi pole with rain pouring down my face, the immune system has taken a bit of a hit. Then @agnes.black sends me this beauty and suddenly everything seems more than OK! Just wow ? I’ll be back on emails tomorrow after some much needed R&R, thanks for your patience everyone! @fivefourstudios @hollyrussell_1 @innercityweddings @hipswinguk @pinkcocoa_sarah #hangingfoliage #hangingflowers #foliagewedding #hanginggreenery #floralinstallation #greenerywedding #suspendedgreenery #suspendedfoliage #coolbride #tablerunner #floraldecor #statementflowers #tablegreenery #underthefloralspell #flowerstyle #manchesterflorist #cheshireflorist #overheadfoliage #weddingflowers #modernbride #alternativeflowers #topteble #weddingreception #spanishmoss #weddingdecor #floralstyling #manchesterweddingflowers #cascadingflowers #floralart

A post shared by S A S S F L O W E R (@sassflower) on

One of the best things about incorporating greenery into your decor, is the affordability. It’s a budget-friendly ‘floral’ option and you can even do it yourself! You only need to purchase the greenery, wire or fixtures, and do some research on how to build it.

You can buy wire, a floral hoop and a variety of greenery, and easily create a heavenly leafy green chandelier. It comes down to your entwining skills and a whole lot of securing. Alternatively, your florist will be able to make, or help you with, bigger projects. Think big! High ceilings + a big trellis = winner combo!

 

View this post on Instagram

 

This magical setting is giving us ALL of the heart eyes! ? Beautiful work by @weddingconceptsusa @okasie @somethingdifferentza ?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ? @hewittwrightphotographer⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #weddinglighting #pendantlighting #industrialwedding #organicwedding #modernwedding #weddinginstallation #weddingstyling #weddingstylist #weddingtables #weddingreception #weddingreceptioninspiration #instawed #weddingflowers #hangingfoliage #hanginggreenery #hanginglights #weddingideas #weddingstylingideas #uniquewedding #weddingreceptionideas #diywedding #weddinginspo #gettingmarried #pinterestwedding

A post shared by Wedsites | Wedding Planning (@wedsites) on

However, the option is yours. You can opt for a simplistic greenery style or a fuller look. How? Keep greenery limited to give a more delicate, fresh appearance or use larger volumes for that fairytale-like lush look.

If you’d prefer not to make something from scratch, you can always embellish existing fixtures as well, or incorporate it into the rest of your flowers to add depth and fullness.

This decor option is great if you love the idea and beauty of the outdoors, but prefer to not actually host your wedding outside. Either way, it’s a beautiful addition to just about any theme.

Image: Wesley Vorster Photography

by
Continue Reading
In Advice

How to keep guests happy at a summer wedding

No Comments

Wedding season is around the corner, and with that, lovely South African summer weddings. And although we love the warm evenings and longer days, a summer wedding does come with its fair share of drawbacks. We’ve gathered some solutions to help you keep your cool, and your guests comfortable.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

Just in time for the heatwave… ? ⠀ ⠀ Themal water is excellent for refreshing, but it can dry your skin out. Try this natural DIY face mist instead! It’s perfect for the hot days, conditioned rooms, and planes: you can bring a small bottle in your carry-on. ⠀ ⠀ ? Moisturizing Rose Water DIY Face Mist ? ⠀ ⠀ You’re going to need:⠀ ? 1 part of distilled water⠀ ? 1 part of rose water⠀ ? 5-7 drops of your favorite essential oil(s), e.g., lavender, jasmine, rose geranium, tea trea, bergamot… ⠀ ⠀ ? Blend all of these together in a spray bottle or mister and spritz on your face whenever you feel like it. Oh, and don’t forget to reapply your SPF and drink another glass of cool water!⠀ ⠀ ? Keep in mind that you may have individual reaction to some essential oils. ⠀ ⠀ #thermalwater #heatwave #staycool #diyfacespray #diyfacemist #facespray #facemist #diy #naturalskincare #naturaldiy #naturalcosmetics #skincareroutine

A post shared by NatureHub app (@naturehub.official) on

DIY mists

We love a good DIY project, and this one is particularly practical. It will not only help keep your guests cool (and smelling lovely), but could serve as a nifty little favour as well.  You’ll need:

  • Small bottles with fine-mister nozzles (you can buy them at most bulk plastic suppliers)
  • Distilled water
  • Glycerin (a few drops per bottle)
  • Essential Oils (a few drops per bottle)

Combine all the ingredients in the bottles, and shake well. Try peppermint, lemongrass or lavender essential oils for a fresh, invigorating scent that repels bugs at the same time.

Citronella candles

No matter where you are, mosquitoes always somehow manage to join the party and bring an unwelcome annoyance. Place citronella candles or diffusers with citronella essential oil on tables inside and outside, close to food, or wherever your guests will spend the most of time, to keep the bugs away.

Drink up!

Yes, your guests will most likely be sipping champagne, cocktails and the like, but it’s important to also have plenty of water available too. Alcohol causes us to develop a slight flush, even if it’s not noticeable in some people, leading to higher body temperature and dehydration to some degree, and even more so in hot weather. Have jugs and bottles of ice-cold water ready at a dedicated hydration station so guests have no excuse not to stay hydrated.

Individual parasols and fans

If you’re having an outside ceremony, it’s essential to provide your guests with some sort of shelter against the blistering sun. If you don’t plan on having umbrellas, provide your guests with individual parasols that they can use during the ceremony. Fans are also ideal to offer your guests to give them the option of fanning themselves during the ceremony as well as the rest of the night during dance breaks.

 

Image: Unsplash

by
Continue Reading
In Advice

Save the planet… one eco-friendly wedding at a time

No Comments

By Yashna Balwanth

Contrary to popular belief, being environmentally and socially responsible on your wedding day is easier and possibly cheaper than you think. What could possibly be more important than protecting the Earth? Small considerations can make a world of difference – like using seasonal and local flowers flowers instead of importing them.

Being eco-friendly is fashionable, will boost your eco-consciousness levels – and perhaps even turn a few guests into eco-warriors. We’ve put together a few conscious decisions to consider to make your special day more eco-friendly and your wallet a little happier.

Disposable confetti
Every bride wants to be showered in glittery confetti. In reality, you are throwing microplastics everywhere. An eco-friendlier alternative to this is to use biodegradable confetti which are made from flower petals. Or punch out confetti circles from leaves, colour them metallic and voilà. These are materials that still look as beautiful in pictures and will do exactly the same job.

 

Re-use wedding attire
Being eco-friendly also means finding more than one use for certain items, this includes wedding attire. By allowing your bridal party to choose their own style of dress within your colour palette, they will wear the dress again since it is something they have chosen for themselves. The bride’s dress can also be a vintage or pre-loved garment, perhaps handed down through generations. Don’t grow too attached to your wedding gown, you can have it altered once the wedding is over into two separate pieces of a top and skirt, then mix and match it within your closet for multiple uses.

 

Potted vs cut flowers
Cut flowers do not have a long lifespan. Why not opt for a potted centerpiece instead? These can also double up as wedding favours for guests to take home, which help save on costs. However, if you really do want cut flowers for decor, work with a company that can have the flowers reused after the function or even donated to a hospital or community centre.

 

Digital stationery
Let’s be real for a second… how many of us actually save wedding invites of friends and family? This is wasted paper and a waste of money printing invitations that still need to be hand delivered to guests. Besides the digital realm keeping us in touch with one another, it has also helped with invitations and notices to guests. Wedding websites can be set up for minimal costs and can also keep track of the guests who have rsvp’d and those who have not.

 

Food donations
It comes as no surprise that weddings attract a lot of wastage when it comes to food. Whether guests didn’t show up, or caterers over prepared, there is always waste of perfectly good food that shouldn’t be thrown away. Perhaps leftovers can be donated to a shelter for the homeless or even handed out to a nearby children’s school. Ensure your caterers are aware of your plans to donate so the food is not thrown out unintentionally.

Picture: Pixabay

by
Continue Reading